After Chelsea’s home defeat against Sunderland this weekend, Enzo Maresca spoke about the performance of Joao Pedro.
On Saturday afternoon, the Blues delivered a below-par performance against Sunderland, which led to a 2-1 loss in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The reality is that most individuals wearing a Chelsea shirt were a long way from their best levels. Even though they won their previous four games across all competitions, it feels like a major setback to lose at home to Sunderland.
Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, 24, was definitely one of those players for the hosts as he struggled to make his mark.
Paul Merson said Pedro “looked lost” in the Sunderland defeat, struggling to provide much of an attacking threat from the number 10 position. It has become a bit of a theme in his recent appearances, too.
Joao Pedro lies injured on the floor during Chelsea against Sunderland in the Premier League.
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca gives explanation after Joao Pedro display vs Sunderland
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca explained in his post-match press conference after losing to Sunderland that Pedro is one of the players in his squad that continues to play without completing full training.
Although he concedes that the South American attacker found it difficult this weekend, he was keen to stress he wasn’t the only one.
When asked why Pedro’s form has dipped, Maresca responded via Football.London: “No, I think Joao is not training every day because he’s managing a little bit himself from the injury problem. Moi [Caicedo] is exactly the same, Enzo [Fernandez] is exactly the same. We have four or five players that unfortunately, because of some problems, they cannot work every day and they try to make the effort to play the game.
“So Joao in some games has been better, today he struggled a little bit. But today I think overall all the players struggled today, so it’s not just about Joao.”
Chelea manager Enzo Maresca shouts on the touchline during the Premier League match against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
Does Joao Pedro need to be dropped?
It is quite a defiant response from Maresca, shielding Pedro following an extremely ineffective individual performance. If he’s fit enough to play, it does make you question the severity of his injury problems.
Fans will have noticed that the skilful attacker has dropped off a long way from the player that was lighting up the league in the opening weeks of the season.
Even though it feels impossible to leave Pedro out of the XI right now while Cole Palmer is injured, perhaps he needs one or two games out of the spotlight. It could help him recover from an unspecified problem, plus mentally reset because he’s definitely still a key figure moving forward.
We wouldn’t have him anywhere near the starting line-up for next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liam Delap is expected to be available against Wolves, so the timing of his return may be perfect for Pedro.